Spring in Newburyport's South End
I love walking through Newburyport’s South End. And spring is my favorite time of year in this gorgeous city.
Spring in Newburyport's South End
I wait every year for this particular tree to bloom in Newburyport’s South End.
Spring in Newburyport's South End
So many treasures to find walking around this gorgeous city of Newburyport, MA. I found this jewel on my walking tour this morning in Newburyport’s beautiful and charming South End.
In my hunt for photos of Newburyport, I found these photos of Bossy Gillis, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection, October 1924, they are from glass negatives. Press images to enlarge.
Bossy Gillis, mayor of Newburyport, in Salem jail, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection, press image to enlarge.
“Bossy Gillis, mayor of Newburyport, in Salem jail.” Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
Bossy Gillis, Mayor of Newburyport, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection, press image to enlarge
“Bossy Gillis, Mayor of Newburyport.” Bossy Gillis at one of his gas stations. Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Leslie Jones Collection.
Photos of one of Bossy Gillis’s gas stations that came down in 1968 can be found here.
(If you download an image would you please give The Boston Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)
There’s a new blog in town. The NRA Today (Newburyport Redevelopment Authority).
The very first entry says:
“The next few months promise to be exciting time for the city. With the arrival of spring comes an opportunity to complete the renewal of the city’s waterfront, creating a space for all residents and visitors to enjoy.
As the process unfolds, we’ll post details here allowing residents to chart our progress. We’ll keep an update list of our meetings and hearings with the hope that you’ll attend and share your thoughts and hopes for the two central pieces to Newburyport’s historic water front.
If you’re unable to attend our meetings please examine the minutes to our past meetings. They’re compiled on City Hall’s web site. You’ll find a link to the minutes and our meeting agendas to the right.”
NRA land c. 1920, courtesy of the Historical Society of Old Newbury, press to enlarge.
And in the background of the new NRA blog there is a very cool photograph of downtown Newburyport, NRA land c. 1920, courtesy of the Historical Society of Old Newbury (press the image to enlarge). You can see all the buildings that existed before the demotion that took place in 1968. If you look real closely you can see where Bossy Gillis’ gas station is still standing (see previous post), next to the firehouse.
(If you download the photograph, would you make sure to give the Historical Society of Old Newbury credit. Thank you.)
More LHD confusion from the “Say No to LHD” folks.
I’ve heard from multiple sources that the “Say No to LHD” folks are passing out the same flyer, handout, that was being passed out in January.
Maybe in January, maybe, one could have said that the “Say No to LHD” folks did not understand city and state law. But there has been plenty of time to learn, and clear up the misinformation and wrong information in the “Say No to LHD” literature.
The literature talks about the proposed LHD Commission, which would oversee Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD).
The claim is that this commission would be, “appointed by the Mayor and not all have to live in Newburyport.”
This is our Newburyport city law (ordinance).
Sec. 2-62. – Residency requirement.
Persons appointed to City of Newburyport boards, committees, commissions and authorities that are established by ordinance shall be residents of the City of Newburyport. This shall pertain to new appointments made after the date of approval of this section.
Another words, everyone on the proposed commission would live in Newburyport.
And like all Newburyport boards and commissions, the members of the proposed commission would be appointed by the Mayor and be passed by the Newburyport City Council.
Ask yourself, if this one very obvious and basic fact is not true in the “Say No to LHD” literature, how much of that literature could be trusted?
I found these wonderful old photographs courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Print Department, of the Garrison Inn, Brown Square, in Newburyport, Massachusetts.
Garrison Inn, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Print Department, press to enlarge
Garrison Inn, Courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Print Department, press to enlarge
The photographs were taken by Leon H. Abdalian, October, 24, 1929, on a glass negative.
(If you download either of these images would you please give the Boston Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)
Confusion abounds when it comes to Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD).
One of the things that folks are confused about is how the LHD could be changed if it should pass.
Local Historic Districts differ from state to state. Our state LHD state law is called General Law Chapter 40C, the Historic Districts Act. It informs our local LHD law, ordinance, if it should pass, and is often referred to in the draft ordinance of Newburyport’s proposed LHD.
The LHD ordinance or municipal law is guided by state law just the way our city planning and zoning laws are.
The proposed ordinance could not be changed without a super majority of the Newburyport City Council, 8 out of 11 votes. That is in State General Law, Chapter 40C, Section 3.
The proposed LHD ordinance includes what is not included or what is exempt, things like paint color, shutters, roofing material, ordinary maintenance and repairs, landscaping, storm windows, storm doors, gutters, shutter hardware, driveways, terraces.
The draft guidelines help clarify and give guidance to a homeowner who would like to make changes to the exterior of their home, seen from the public way, on items that are not exempt.
What was said at the first informational meeting was that most LHDs don’t start with guidelines, that Newburyport was an exception and should be applauded for trying to make things as clear as possible.
At the moment (and the creation of a city law is a process) the guidelines can be changed with a public hearing (Section 6.3). I asked the LHD Study Committee (they can be contacted at lhdsc@cityofnewburyport.com), and what I was told is that there is only one location in Massachusetts where the guidelines are changed by a super majority vote.
If the Newburyport City Council choses (it will reach the City Council after the Public Hearing), it can change Section 6.3 in the LHD draft ordinance, so that any changes to the guidelines would also require a super majority vote in the Newburyport City Council, 8 out of 11 votes.
The LHD state law, Chapter 40C can be read here.
In my hunt at the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library I found these two photographs of what Newburyport’s waterfront, and Newburyport looked like in 1972 and in 1973.
NRA lots in 1972, press photo to enlarge.
Quite a mess. And in the photo you can see the gap between the brick building and what is now the Fire House Center for the Arts, where Bossy Gillis’ gas station was demolished (see previous post).
NRA lots 1972, press photo to enlarge.
Photographs courtesy of the Archival Center at the Newburyport Public Library.
All of the Urban Renewal photographs that I took courtesy of the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library can be seen here.
(If you download an image would you please give The Archival Center at The Newburyport Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)
I thought I would put up some of the photos that I took at the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library. These are photos of Bossy Gillis’ gas station down at Market Square, and its demolition, along with some of the text and the dates – October 1968 and December 1968.
Bossy Gillis' gas station, Market Square, Urban Renewal, press image to enlarge.
Bossy Gillis' gas station, Urban Renewal, Newburyport, press image to enlarge.
Bossy Gillis' gas station demolition, Newburyport, press image to enlarge.
All photographs courtesy of the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library. Press images to enlarge.
All of the Urban Renewal photographs that I took courtesy of the Archives at the Newburyport Public Library can be seen here.
(If you download an image would you please give The Archival Center at The Newburyport Public Library and The Newburyport Blog credit. Thank you.)
LHD Study Committee Meeting, March 26, 2012, press to start video.
Here is the video of the Local Historic District (LHD) Study Committee public meeting held on March, 26, 2012 at Newburyport City Hall. The meeting was full of very helpful and constructive information, and the video is well worth watching.
Wolfe Tavern, photo courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Print Department, press to enlarge.
A wonderful photo of Wolfe Tavern, located where the parking lot now is at the corner of State and Harris Streets, downtown Newburyport.
The photo is courtesy of the Boston Public Library, Print Department. It was created on on October 24, 1929, by Leon H. Abdalian (1884-1967) It was on a glass negative that was 6.5 x 8.5 inches.
See previous post of Wolf Tavern here.
(If you download the image would you please give credit to the Boston Public Library and The Newburyport Blog. Thank you.)
What the “Say No to LHD” folks are saying about fines in the literature that is being mailed and handed out, is not true. If you do something in Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD) that the LHD Commission (should the Newburyport City Council vote in favor of the LHD) might have some reservations about, you will not be fined $500 a day into bankruptcy.
This is what our Newburyport City Ordinance says about fines:
Section X-G
“If the notice of violation and order is not complied with promptly, the inspector of buildings shall institute the appropriate action or proceeding at law or in equity to prevent any unlawful action, use or condition and to restrain, correct or abate such violation. Penalties for violations may, upon conviction, be affixed in an amount not to exceed three hundred dollars ($300.00) for each offense. Each day, or portion of a day, that any violation is allowed to continue shall constitute a separate offense.”
That sounds pretty fierce and downright scary.
What the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) said at the informational meeting for Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD), and I am paraphrasing here, is that the Planning Board, the Building Inspector and the ZBA all have the ability to use fines but they do NOT and never have levied fines.
What was explained was that fines are there in municipal law as a last resort. If they did not exist, a developer could come into town and say, “I’ll do anything I want,” and there would be no legal tool to stop them.
What was explained that evening is that the same criterion would apply to the Newburyport’s proposed LHD.
Martin Johnson Heade, "Haystacks on the Newburyport Marshes"
Painting by Martin Johnson Heade, “Haystacks on the Newburyport Marshes, 1862, Oil on Canvas, 25″ x 50” The Walters Art Museum, Baltimore, MD.
Another amazing image of the Newburyport marshes by Martin Johnson Heade.
Historic Newburyport Home
There is a wonderful Letter to the Editor in today’s Newburyport Daily news about Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD) by L.M. Klee.
“This is not about “I win, you lose” or “I’m right and you’re wrong”; it is about a win for Newburyport’s stature in the annals of American architecture and history. The bones of this city were here long before we were. Most of the residents are not related to the founders, the ship builders and early farmers, but in some way, we are here today because of them. To have lived here for two years or several generations and ignore Newburyport’s historical prominence architecturally seems disrespectful. We are fortunate to be a part of that history and need to consider our roles in protecting that seriously. We can collectively shape the city’s future and allow future generations to experience a sense of its history long after our presence is felt on these streets. The responsibility for that today is only ours.”
To read the entire letter press here.
And to see the list of all 49 Letters to the Editor in the Newburyport Daily News, and their links, written in favor of Newburyport’s proposed LHD press here.
J.P Marquand, Courtesy of Boston Public Library Print Department, press to enlarge
On Monday night’s Local Historic District (LHD) informational meeting on March 26, 2012, the questions that were asked, for the most part, were intended to learn more about Newburyport’s proposed LHD. The people asking questions included folks who were “on the fence” or openly against the LHD. The tone was respectful, with about 4 exceptions. And I thought the meeting was very informative.
The qualifications and the “integrity” of the people on LHD Study Committee itself were questioned (not so courteous).
A “gentleman” (it reminded me of the online commentators in the Newburyport Daily News) basically accused the Newburyport LHD Study Committee of being “carpetbaggers.”
One of the things that the person might not have been aware of, is that one of the Study Committee members, their grandfather was J.P. Marquand. Not bad to have someone with that kind of “institutional memory” on the LHD Study Committee. The purpose of the LHD being to protect and preserve the distinctive historical characteristics in the proposed Local Historic District.
The literature that is being mailed, handed out by those who oppose Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD) , the “Say No to LHD” folks, would have you believe that if you do something in the proposed LHD that the LHD Commission (should the Newburyport City Council vote in favor of the LHD) might have some reservations about, you will be fined $500 a day into bankruptcy.
I think this is what one could call “propaganda” because it is so ridiculously not true.
Good grief!
(Definition of propaganda: “Information, ideas, or rumors deliberately spread widely to help or harm a person, group, movement, institution, nation, etc.” “The deliberate spreading of such information, rumors, etc.”)
On Monday night at the LHD informational meeting the subject of fines was cleared up (at least for those who have an open mind, and for those who don’t think that the LHD is some sort of government conspiracy).
What the chair of the Zoning Board of Appeals (ZBA) said, and I am paraphrasing here, is that the Planning Board, the Building Inspector and the ZBA all have the ability to use fines but they do NOT and never have levied fines.
Fines are there in municipal law as a last resort. If they did not exist, a developer could come into town and say, “I’ll do anything I want,” and there would be no legal tool to stop them.
The LHD Study Committee is writing a city ordinance, a city law, which is not done lightly. (And the LHD Study Committee is not a “group” the way one of the leaders of the “Say No to LHD” keeps describing them.)
The drafting of a municipal law is a “process,” and is a “work in progress.”
And the LHD Study Committee is still clarifying the whole “fine” thing in the ordinance-law that is in the process of being written.
So no, contrary to the propaganda being distributed by the “Say No to LHD” folks, if you live in Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD), you would not be fined daily into bankruptcy.
As was explained at the informational hearing on Monday night, the same criterion would apply to the proposed Newburyport LHD that applies to the Newburyport Planning Board and the Newburyport ZBA.
It has been suggested by some of the anti-LHD group that for a homeowner to be required to maintain/keep their chimney or chimneys in the proposed LHD is basically un-American.
Oh good grief!
Chimneys in New England and Newburyport are iconic. Much the way New England church steeples are iconic.
They are a fundamental, intrinsic, deep-rooted symbol of what it means to live in an historic New England home. Of what it means to live in a historic Newburyport, Massachusetts home.
And really and truly I think that most of those who oppose the proposed Newburyport Local Historic District (LHD) would agree.
I’ve included some examples of “iconic” homes with chimneys in Newburyport (all courtesy of the City of Newburyport, MA).
Historic Newburyport Home
Historic Newburyport Home
Historic Newburyport Home
Historic Newburyport Home
The video of the Local Historic District (LHD) public informational meeting on March 19, 2012, is actual better than being in the meeting itself. The the speakers as well questions and answers are much easier to understand. There is a lot of good information on the video about the proposed LHD. It is well worth watching.
Local Historic District Public Meeting, March 19, 2012, press to start video
The March 19, 2012 Local Historic District (LHD) informational public meeting at Newburyport City Hall.
The Tappan House being demolished
The Tappan House, 1 Little’s Lane, Newbury, being demolished today, right now.
1 Little's Lane being demolished, Courtesy of Skip and Marge Motes
Destruction of The Tappan House, 1 Little's Lane, Courtesy of Skip and Marge Motes
The Tappan House being destroyed, March 20, 2012.
The Tappan House, Courtesy of P.Preservationist
The Tappan House, 1 Little’s Lane before demolition.
A fence on High Street is like a jewelry on a beautiful woman.
A fence on High Street, Sally Chandler © 2004, Courtesy of "Historic Gardens of Newburyport"
Last night at the Local Historic District (LHD) informational meeting, a person who owns a gorgeous mansion on High Street in the South End, up on the Ridge, one of the most important homes on High Street, asked if they would have to go in front of the LHD Commission (if the proposed LHD is passed) to put in a privacy fence, as I heard it, to protect their children.
To put a privacy fence in front of this particular mansion, or any mansion on High Street–“No.” That should have been the answer.
If they would like to put a privacy fence in the back of their property for their children to play in, of course (and that would not come under the proposed Local Historic District (LHD) guidelines).
The way a fence looks in the proposed LHD (High Street and downtown Newburyport from Winter to Federal Street) matters. It matters a lot.
A fence on High Street is like a jewelry on a beautiful woman.
How a fence looks makes a big difference. And it made me wonder, I don’t know if my wondering is true or not, if this wasn’t a “got-cha” question. Because the answer is so obvious, that the panel and the LHD Study Committee was a little confused as how to answer it.
Facts about Newburyport’s proposed Local Historic District (LHD)
Proposed LHD Map